Brushing mechanism



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United States Patent' O BRUSHING MECHANISM Ruben 0. Peterson, University Heights, Ohio, assignorto The Osborn Manufacturing Company, Ge /errand, (line, a corporation of Ohio Application April 27, 1953, Serial No. 351,367

' 8' Claims. (c1. rs-sos This invention relates as indicated to brushing mechanism, and more particularly to brushing mechanism esnecially adapted for the surface conditioning of metal sheets and other articles. Reference may be had to my copending application now Patent No. 2,636,200 which discloses and claims a related mechanism.

In the processing of metal strip or sheet for example, it is general practice to pass the work-pieces continuously or semi-continuously through a series of work stations where individual operations are sequentially performed thereon. The work-piece may be of a continuous nature such as steel strip or rodding passing from a feed reel to the takeup reel, or such'work-pieces may comprise a series of individual units transported on a continuous conveyor system as in the case of small sheets, plates, and some partially fabricated articles. The operations performed thereon may includerolling, trimming, cutting,

pickling, annealing, scouring and polishing, for example. in many instances such line will desirably include at least one brushing unit for one of several purposes including the removal of scale and the imparting of a superior finish to the article.

Brushing stands or the like utilized in the past have generally been difficult to adjust with the requisite precision and rapidity, both for maintaining a proper pressure of the brush upon the work-piece and for moving such brush out of engagement with the work-piece. A further serious difficulty has been encountered in devices of this nature employed in the past in that very considerable shut-down time has been required for the reconditioning and replacement of the brush when the latter has become worn or damaged in use. Any appreciable stoppage of an otherwise continuously moving line of this type is exceedingly costly and militates against the use of the device responsible for the delay. Since brushes of the type employed in these units may be very large and heavy, but nevertheless easily damaged if improperly handled, a'further problem is encountered in replacing the same with a minimum of delay. Oc'assionally, also, it is necessary to stop the movement of a continuous strip or conveyor, and the workpiece may then be damaged by continued contact with the brushing tool at one point thereon unless some means for promptly moving the brush out of contact with the work is afforded without necessarily stopping rotation of the brush. In my aforesaid Patent No. 2,636,200, I disclose and claim certain brushing mechanism having considerable advantages over prior art devices previously available. The present invention relates to further improvements of a similar nature but which have proven even more efficient in use.

It is accordingly one principal object of my invention to provide surface conditioning mechanism capable of rapid and precise adjustment to accommodate it to varying types and sizes of work-pieces.

Another object of this invention is to provide mounting means for the surface-conditioning device including provision for quick and easy removal of the device from 2,800,677 Patented July 30, 1957 ice the tool when the'latter is thus removed and'subsequently replaced.

Other objects of the invention willappear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. l is an end elevational view of a brushing stand including my new brush mounting means;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 on Fig 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the means journalling one end of the rotary tool; and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on a somewhat reduced scale of the immediate brush supporting means illustrating the manner in which the brush unit proper is adapted to be removed therefrom.

Now referring more particularly to said drawing, a brushing stand is there illustrated comprising four vertical posts 1, 2, 3 and 4 joined at the top by a head frame 5 and also at the bottom by a similar frame (not shown). Inverted U-shaped slides 6 and 7 are mounted for vertical sliding movement between uprights 1 and 2 and uprights 3 and 4 respectively. These two slides are adapted to be reciprocated up and down together by means of worm gear units 8 and 9 operative to raise and lower vertical shafts 10 and 11 respectively carrying such slides 6 and 7. Each of such worm gear units is driven from a common shaft 12 coupled to an electric motor 13.

An outer housing 14 is vertically slidably mounted in the downturned legs 15 and 16, and 17 and 18 of slides 6 and 7 respectively, being adjustably suspended from bracket 19 on slide 6 and bracket 20 on slide 7 by means of threaded rods or bolts 21 and 22 pivotally connected to such housing and secured in such brackets by nuts 23 and 24. By turning such nuts, the position of housing 14 in the slideways of slide members 6 and 7 may be adjusted, the aforesaid pivotal connections' and a certain amount of clearance permitting a slight degree of longitudinal tilting of housing 14.

An inner housing 25 somewhat resembling an inverted drawer is longitudinally slidably inserted within said outer housing 14. This inner housing is a box-like frame which is open downwardly but closed at the sides and ends. It is supported within outer housings 14 by side rails 26 and 27 thereon which engage between sets of upper and lower rollers 28 and 29.

The right-hand end of outer housing 14 as viewed in Fig. 2 is closed by end plates 30 and 31 in which is secured a bearing 32 having a hollow stub shaft 33 journalled therein on which drive pulley 34 is mounted. A cylindrical rotary brush 35 is mounted on a shaft 36 journalled so that brush 35 may be driven through pulley 34. Shaft 36 is, however, readily disengaged from drive shaft 33 by simple axial withdrawal therefrom when inner housing 25 is rolled to the left (as viewed in Fig. 2) to withdraw the same from outer housing 14. Such withdrawal is normally prevented by removable pin 40 which passes through both inner and outer housings and removable pin 41 which passes through a swinging latch'member 42 pivotally connected to the outer housing 14 at 43. 3 Pin 41 passes through apertures in the pair of spaced vertical flanges 44 and 45 extending from the end of inner housing 25. A removable cross-piece 46 also bridges the lower end of outer housing 14.

The work, such as continuous steel strip S for example, is adapted to be held in engagement with brush 35 by means of two spaced rollers 47 and'48 (which may desirably be themselves cylindrical brushes having high bristle density) journalled on axes parallel to the axis of shaft 36 and carried by a slide 49 adapted to be raised and lowered by any suitable means such as a piston-cylinder assembly, for example (not shown), quickly to bring the work into or out of engagement with brush 35.

The two axially spaced beadings 37 and 38 are carried by an end member 50 pivotally mounted between flanges 44 and 45 of housing 25 for swinging movement about the pivotal axis 51. The single bearing 39 journalling shaft 36 at the other end of the housing is a split bearing as shown in Figs. 2 and and may be separated to release shaft 36 so that the brush may be swung out of the housing, the end of the housing being slotted at 52 to permit such movement.

The manner in which the brush unit is adapted to be removed for inspection, conditioning, or replacement of the brush may now be understood. The pins 40 and 41 are removed, as well as cross-piece 46, latch 42 is swung upwardly, and inner housing 25 is slid out to'the left as viewed in Fig. 2. Apertures such as 53 and 54 may be provided in upstanding flanges on the inner housing 25 to permit convenient attachment to an overhead crane, for example, to facilitate handling when the brush unit comprising brush 35 and inner housing 25 has been thus removed from the stand. After such removal, the housing 25 will be swung around the axis of shaft 36 to a subjacent position as shown in Fig. 5, and the right-hand end of such shaft will be released from split bearing 39 (alternatively, an ordinarly bearing may be employed but must then be unbolted from the housing and withdrawn from the end of the shaft). When this has been done, with housing 25 resting on the floor, shaft 36 may be swung upwardly as illustrated with member 50 pivoting at 51, whereupon the shaft may be withdrawn from bearings 37 and 38 and a new brush substituted. Proper alignment of such new brush is assured by the permanently aligned axially spaced bearings 37 and 38 which, together with split bearing 39, ensure that the brush shaft 36 will be returned exactly into desired position. When shaft 36 has now been secured in bearing 39, the inner housing may be replaced in outer housing 14 and the brushing mechanism is again in readiness for operation with a minimum of shut-down time. If a brush of different diameter has been substituted, outer housing 14 will be raised or lowered as required through gearing 8 and 9 driven by motor 13.

It will readily be seen that the illustrated structure may be provided in inverted position to brush the underside of the work-piece, suitable supporting means being provided for the latter, or the work-piece may be turned over and again passed beneath the brush or other rotary tool. Such apparatus is quickly and easily adjustable to obtain the desired contact between work and brush. 7

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be seen that inner housing 25 is provided with rows of apertures 55 in its upper surface as installed within the outer housing 14 and inner braces 56 and 57 likewise have rows of holes 58 therein. A central opening 59 is provided in the upper surface of outer housing 14 adapted for connection of a large suction hose whereby such housings together may be caused to serve as a suction hood for the brush. Flanges 26 and 27 make adequate seals with the sides of housing 14 and as shown in Fig. 2 the ends of inner housing 25 likewise adequately close off the ends of the outer housing so that the flow of air is substantially entirely upwardly from the work past the brush. Flanges 56 and 57 assist in reducing turbulence and make the interior of the housing easier to clean.

It is important for precise adjustment of the brush that the position of the latter be exactly and automatically determined when the brush is returned to the stand. This is obtained by means of swinging latch 42 and pin 41 which has a tapered end so that when inserted it accurately determines the position of the inner housing and brush carried thereby. The flanges 26 and 27 are not relied upon for this purpose. At the other end of the housing (Figs. 2 and 3) pin serves a similar purpose in a similar manner, passing through lugs 60 on outer housing 14 and extensions 61 on the inner housing rather like a hinge pin. Of course, they also serve the additional purpose of preventing axial shifting of the inner housing, especially pin 40. As is readily apparent from Fig. 2 of the drawing, for example, the outer housing in a broad sense is part of the frame which supports the inner housing and my special latch arrangement is beneficial whether two housings are employed or not.

When the brush has been swung out of its inner housing as shown in Fig. 5 the holes 62 may be aligned with corresponding holes in flanges 44 and and a pin inserted to hold member in such pivoted position during withdrawal and replacement of the arbor.

It will further be appreciated that the advantages of my invention may likewise be obtained when employing rotary tools other than true brushes, as for example rotary butts and even grinding wheels. Some types of brushes and like rotary tools may be withdrawn from shaft 36 when the latter is in Fig. 5 position without the necessity of first withdrawing such shaft from the bearings 37, 38. But if the tool is very large and heavy it may often be preferred to lift it by means of its shaft. Under some circumstances the stand may be mounted on its side or at an angle to cause the brush to engage work traveling in some plane other than horizontal. Accordingly, the term vertical as employed herein may be taken as meaning normal to the path of movement of the work, which is here shown as horizontal.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In surface conditioning mechanism, a stand comprising two pair of uprights, U-shaped slides mounted for vertical reciprocation between each said pair of uprights, power driven means for reciprocating said slides in unison, an outer elongated housing vertically slidably mounted in said U-shaped slides, adjusting means for individually vertically adjusting the respective ends of said housing in Y said slides, said housing being open on one of its sides,

an inner elongated housing supported within said outer housing on anti-friction means for endwise withdrawal therefrom, means releasably securing said inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing being open 7 toward the same side as said outer housing, a cylindrical housing, spaced aligned bearings on said member journalling one end portion of said shaft, and a split bearing mounted on the other end of said inner housing releasably journalling the other end portion of said shaft, whereby upon withdrawal of said inner housing axially from within said outer housing, thereby disengaging said shaft from said drive means, said split bearing may be opened and one end of said shaft swung out of said inner housing about the transverse pivot'of said end member to permit axial withdrawal of said shaft and brush from said aligned bearings.

2.'In surface conditioning rnechanism, a stand, vertically adjustable slide means on said stand, an outer elongated housing carried by said slide means open on one of its sides, adjusting means for raising and lowering said housing to afford a small degree of inclination longitudinally thereof, an inner elongated housing supported within said outer housing for endwise withdrawal therefrom, means releasably securing said inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing being open toward the same side as said outer housing, a cylindrical rotary brush therewithin mounted on a shaft supported by said inner housing with a portion of said brush protruding from the housings, drive means on said outer housing adapted drivingly to engage an end of said shaft but disengageable therefrom upon axial withdrawal of said shaft with said inner housing, an end member transversely pivotally mounted on said inner housing, bearing means on said member journalling one end portion of said shaft, and removable bearing means on the other end of said inner housing journalling the other end portion of said shaft, whereby upon withdrawal of said inner housing axially from within said outer housing, thereby disengaging said shaft from said drive means, said other bearing may be removed and one end of said shaft swung out of said inner housing about the transverse pivot of said end member to permit axial withdrawal of said shaft and brush from said bearing means on said pivotally mounted end member.

3. In surface conditioning mechanism, a stand, vertically adjustable slide means on said stand, an outer housing carried by said slide means open on one of its sides, an inner housing supported within said outer housing, means releasably securing said inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing being open toward the same side as said outer housing, a cylindrical rotary brush therewithin mounted on a shaft supported by said inner housing with a portion of said brush protruding from the housings, said inner housing being mounted in said outer housing for withdrawal therefrom lengthwise of said shaft, drive means adapted to engage an end of said shaft but disengageable therefrom to permit axial withdrawal of said shaft with said inner housing, bearing means journalling one end portion of said shaft pivotally mounted on said inner housing, and bearing means on said inner housing releasably journalling the other end portion of said shaft.

4. In surface conditioning mechanism, a stand, vertically adjustable slide means on said stand, an outer elongated housing carried by said slide means having an opening in one side adapted to be connected with suction means, said housing being open to expose the interior thereof on the side opposite to said first opening, adjustable means for raising and lowering the respective ends of said housing to afford a small degree of lengthwise inclination thereof, an inner elongated housing supported within said outer housing for endwise withdrawal therefrom, means releasably securing and positioning said inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing having openings on those sides corresponding to those of said outer housing having openings and said openings being adapted for corresponding services, a cylindrical rotary brush therewithin mounted on a shaft supported by said inner housing with a portion of the outer brush periphery protruding from a common open side of such dual housing assembly, drive means on said outer housing adapted drivingly to engage an end of said shaft but disengageable therefrom upon axia l withdrawal of said shaft with sai'dinner housing, an end member transversely pivotally mounted on said inner housing, bearing 'means on said member journalling one end portion of said shaft, and removable bearing means on the other end of said inner'housing journalling the other end portion of said shaft, whereby upon withdrawal of said inner housing axially from within said outer housing, thereby "disengaging said shaft from said drive means, said other hearing may be removed. and one end of said shaft swung out of said inner housing about the transverse pivot of said end member to permit axial withdrawal of said shaft and brush from said bearing means on said pivotally mounted end member.

5. In surface conditioning mechanism, a stand, a housing carried by said stand and open at one side and end, an inner housing slidably inserted within said first housing for withdrawal therefrom through such open end of the latter, said inner housing being open toward the same side as said first housing, a rotary brush mounted on a shaft supported in said inner housing, drive means for such shaft, apertures in said inner housing spaced from such open side of said inner housing, said first-named housing having an additional opening therein communicating with the region between said respective housings to which such apertures lead, and means substantially sealing the interstices between said inner and outer housings to compel air to flow inwardly through the open side of said inner housing to such additional opening in said outer housing when suction is applied to the latter.

6. In surface conditioning mechanism, a stand, adjustable slide means on said stand, an outer housing carried by said slide means having an opening in one side adapted to be connected with suction means, said housing also being open at another side thereof adjustable means for tilting the housing to afford a small degree of inclination of said latter open side relative to said slide means, an inner housing supported within said outer housing for withdrawal therefrom in a direction parallel to the plane of said latter open side, means releasably securing and positioning said inner housing within said outer housing, said inner housing having openings on those sides corresponding to those of said outer housing having openings and said openings being adapted for corresponding services, a rotary tool therewithin supported by said inner housing with a portion of the tool periphery exposed through a common open side of such dual housing assembly, and drive means for said tool.

7. In surface conditioning mechanism, a supporting frame, an inner housing, a rotary tool carried by said housing for rotation therein, means mounting said housing on said supporting frame for withdrawal therefrom axially of said tool, guide means for supporting said housing during insertion and withdrawal on said frame, said frame and housing having aligned apertures therein adjacent one end of the latter, a pin removably inserted in such apertures and closely fitting the same to register the position of said housing and tool relative to said frame, a swinging latch member mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of said tool adjacent the other end of said housing, said latch member and housing having apertures therein adapted to be aligned when said housing has been thus registered, and a pin removably inserted in such latter apertures adapted to prevent rotative movement of said housing about said first pin.

8. In surface conditioning mechanism, a supporting frame, a housing, a rotary tool carried by said housing for rotation therein, means mounting said housing on said supporting frame for withdrawal therefrom axially of said tool, guide means for supporting said housing during insertion and withdrawal on said frame, means engaging one end of said housing operative to lock the latter against movement relative to said frame axially of said tool, swinging latch means mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about an axis transverse of the axis of said tool, and means on said housing spaced from said locking References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cobb July 30, 1907 Hoover Feb. 19, 1924 8 OBrien June 8, 1926 'Chamberlin et a1 Jan. 20, 1942 'Nachtman Oct. 6, 1942 Hammand Mar. 30, 1943 Boyer June 8, 1943 Erickson Sept. 10, 1946 Peterson Apr. 28, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS France Dec. 9, 1913 

